Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

So I FINALLY got to use it the other day. First thing I did was shake the 2 cycle can for a few minutes to make sure it was well mixed. Then I poured it in the tank. I took my glove off and pressed the primer bulb twice covering that little nub. Turned the key to on set the choke and pulled. It started on the third pull. First time starting. Cool!
We received about 7 inches of snow.

That Quick Shoot is just down right cool. I debated whether I wanted it and a glad I splurged. I did not try the electric start.
I have a flat double concrete drive and the Toro had it done in about ten minutes. SO much easier than shoveling plus I am not getting any younger. There is a learning curve but that is part of the fun! IT does throw the snow far, it was powdery. ON the EOD is bogged down a little but did not stall. On shut down it sounds just like a Lawnboy, given the engines heritage.
I am impressed with it and would buy another.

Good choice BORAT.  Especially if speed is a priority.  I have the 221QE but it seems to require a different starting technique each time I use it. Following the manual directions of 2 primes and full choke seems to flood it every time. If possible please post your observations about starting this beast and what works best for you. Thanks and good luck with it!

Is $566.00 USD a good price for the 221Q non-electric start?

Best price I could find was $568USD from WISE SALES so I would say that's a very reasonable price. SBD is $620.

borat wrote:
I gave up on finding a good CCR2000 / CCR3000 with the Suzuki engine.  I've heard good things about the Suzuki engine but the price people were asking for them was too high for my taste.  There were rust, dents, scratches.  The machines just look too worn for the price.  I have no desire to restore a Toro single stage.

Went and bought the 421QE and very happy with the purchase, even with the potential fuel leak recall (or is it just a hoax).  The newer model is just better designed with user friendly features.  It is also a higher efficiency auger systems so even if the engine isn't as good as the revered Suzuki, I can live with that.

I think the price you got for a 221QR at $566.00 from a legitimate dealer is decent.  I've heard people gotten it cheaper through Home Despot in Canada with stackable coupons and promotions for less, but those deals aren't available in my area.

There's a lot to like about single stage snowblower.  Some people discover it, some don't.  That's too bad.  Some people expect too much performance from a rubber auger and 5-6 HP machine when compared to a 2 stage machine. 

aa335 wrote:
Bought a Toro 421QE with a 2-year warranty.  The first winter  of 2010 it leaked gasoline all over the driveway.   It was a big snowstorm & I had to use it.  It was serviced and came back working fine, because gas was included in the tank.  I forgot to ask what gas they put in.  Now this winter of 2011, it leaked again, though for both winters, I used Shell Gold, with no ethanol in it.  My snowblower is still in their service department and it's been  weeks now.  They claim to be waiting for parts.

Perhaps I should ask for an extending of warranty.  We are expecting another snowstorm coming up from the Ohio Valley, two days from now.

Carl.

Just curious but for those who bought the 421Q machines, why would you chose a four stroke over Toro's proven two cycle engine?   I'm familiar with the advantages/disadvantages of both types of engines but when something works as well as the R-tek single stage machines with years upon years of solid performance, what would be the draw to the four stroke machine? 

borat wrote:
I assume for the same reason that I own a 4 stroke mini tiller and weed whacker...eliminates the need to mix gas/oil and store both types of fuel.  Not that it's a major hassle but it is one less thing to deal with.

Paul7 wrote:
True, but mixing two cycle oil into a fuel container is considerably easier than doing an oil change then having to properly dispose of use oil etc. 

I have numerous two cycle engines which use anywhere from 20:1 to 50:1 ratios.  I run a mix between 32:1 to 40:1 in all of them.  So, one can of fuel for everything two stroke.   Easy as pie.

borat wrote:
There's the difference Borat.  You have numerous two cycle machines.  My riding mower, walk behind mowers, front tine tiller, rear tine tiller, pressure washers, generators, etc...all are 4 stroke.  At one point everything I used was 4 stroke...except my lone 2 stroke mini-tiller.  Do you know what a pain it was to have to maintain a separate gas/oil mix for just ONE piece of equipment. Making sure it stayed fresh, running out and needing to mix a little more just to finish.   If I ran multiple two strokes engines regularly then it would be worth the effort.  So when I saw an 4 stroke mini tiller made by Earthquake I got one and it works great.  No loss of performance at all.  My 4 stoke weed eater on the other hand is less appealing than my previous 2 stroke one because the motor gets uncomfortably hot.  Probably will go back to a 2 stroke trimmer. 

PS.  You're making an assumption by thinking that all used oil is properly disposed of LOL.  I don't even know the proper way to dispose of it.  I use it to start fires when I burn leaves and brush. 

Paul7 wrote:
Whenever I change the oil in my driveway on my cars (or on whatever), I drain the old oil into an empty oil container or into an empty windshield wash container and then bring it to the auto centre of the Wal-mart or Canadian Tire or Costco; from wherever I bought the new oil, or to the nearest place.  If they can sell you oil, they can take it back IMO.  There may even be regulations to that effect, but I have never had a problem with returning used oil and filters like this.